Great Lakes hoped to fill the local electric car niche and purchased four 2007 models, selling three since last October and keeping the fourth for parts. The company bought six more 2008 models in March; three remain unsold. LaTarte Sr. said they're moving slower than conventional vehicles.

Great Lakes receives requests to test drive the Flybo daily, but it's merely curiosity and not genuine interest, the elder LaTarte said. Great Lakes created a Web site, www.goflybo.com to jump-start demand.

"We get 500 hits per week, but everyone wants to go 90 mph, and I can't make their needs come true on that part," LaTarte Jr. said.

He said the car travels nearly 40 mph and is legal on all roads except expressways, although the vehicle is classified as a low-speed vehicle under Michigan law.

State law restricts low-speed vehicles to 25 mph and are not legal on roads with speed limits exceeding 35 mph, according to the State Police, who have not verified whether the Flybo violates Michigan driving regulations or vehicle code.

The Flybo caps speed at 25 mph, which would put it in compliance with Michigan regulations.

LaTarte Sr. doesn't think electric cars will receive much consideration until they can travel at highway speeds.

Schaefer and Bierlein Chrysler, 1015 Weiss in Frankenmuth, sells the GEM by Global Electric Motors, a Chrysler company based in Fargo, N.D. Adam J. Traver, 27-year-old head of GEM sales at Schaefer and Bierlein, is optimistic about the viability of the GEM electric car, which starts at $6,795.

The dealer sold five GEM vehicles in 2006, six in 2007, nine in 2008 and has several sales pending.

"I think it's a definite trend that people are looking towards these electric vehicles, and they're becoming a more and more popular option," Traver said.

Traver said the vehicle has limits.

"Flybo or GEM (are) only going to work for certain people because they are going to be restricted to roads 35 mph or less."

Flybo claims its vehicle is legal on roads up to 55 mph.

The Jinan site, flybo.en.alibaba.com, contends the Flybo can travel up to 80 miles per charge at just under 35 mph. The car plugs into a electrical outlet and fully recharges in eight to 10 hours.

GEM's Web page, www.gemcar.com, advertises a top speed of 25 mph and 30 miles per charge, with an eight-to-12 hour recharge period.

Compared to a gas-powered car achieving 27 mpg at $3.50 per gallon, a person traveling 100 miles per week in a GEM would save $570.07 a year, the company claims on its Web site.

General Motors Corp. is preparing to release its high-performance, four-passenger Chevrolet Volt in 2010. GM claims the care will travel at up to 80 mph for 40 miles. A gasoline-powered internal-combustion engine will recharge the batteries, allowing trips as long as 360 miles, GM reports on media.gm.com/volt.

The Volt and other high-powered electric cars get performance comparable to standard vehicles by using expensive lithium-ion batteries. The Volt likely will cost $30,000 and $35,000.

Want to see an electric car you can buy today? Schaefer and Bierlein Chrysler of Frankenmuth will display two of the 25-mph GEM cars at this weekend's International Auto Show at Northwood University, 4000 Whiting in Midland. The student-run show features about 500 cars. Show hours are 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. today, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.